Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology
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Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies of childhood and no interventional therapy is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Much recent research has focused on the safety, efficacy, and mechanism of oral immunotherapy (OIT) as a disease-modifying treatment. ⋯ Egg OIT is a promising modality for providing temporary protection from reactions caused by accidental egg exposure. However, the overall strength of the evidence in favor of egg OIT is limited by small sample sizes and the lack of controls, both of which are important considerations given the spontaneous resolution expected in egg allergy. More high-quality studies are necessary before egg OIT can be recommended as a viable treatment option.
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Bronchial thermoplasty, which involves the delivery of radio frequency energy to the airways to reduce airway smooth muscle mass, has been recently introduced for the treatment of severe asthma. This review summarizes the preclinical development, efficacy and adverse effects of bronchial thermoplasty. In addition, the potential mechanisms of action and place in management of severe asthma are discussed. ⋯ Bronchial thermoplasty has a role in the management of patients with severe asthma who have uncontrolled symptoms despite current therapies. Future studies need to identify factors that predict a beneficial clinical response.
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Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol · Jun 2012
ReviewExtensively heated milk and egg as oral immunotherapy.
The introduction of extensively heated milk and egg protein into the diet has been explored in recent years. ⋯ An oral challenge to extensively heated milk and egg into milk and egg allergic children's diets should be considered when appropriate. Oral food challenges are the most reliable means of establishing a diagnosis and should be undertaken under physician supervision.
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Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol · Jun 2012
ReviewVitamin D and atopy and asthma phenotypes in children.
To give an overview of the recent research into whether a lack of vitamin D contributes to the development of atopy and asthma in childhood. ⋯ The current literature suggests that intervention to ensure adequate vitamin D levels during both pregnancy and childhood may reduce the development of atopy and asthma in children. However, important questions need to be answered regarding the levels of vitamin D required, which may vary between the sexes and between individuals, and the optimal timing and duration of such intervention.